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Posts: 145
| I am possibly in the market for a new reel due to the post office losing my okuma when returning it for repair. ALWAYS get insurance! So, I was thinking about what reel to get and have decided to go back to Abu. If they do not find it, I will be getting a new one, I love my SSc3 but they are discontinued my main desire is a thumb bar but I think I am out of luck. I want a classic round reel. I was thinking about a record but I am not sure. What are the abu guys thoughts?
Thank you,
Jacob |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I have a Record 61 (not the HC version) and it's a nice reel. Easy to grip and really smooth casting. Starting to get some squeeks and stuff (yes I lube my reels) but I've had it for a few years now. If you're looking to use it for bigger blades then get the HC that comes with the powerhandle. I use my for everthing else other than big blades and rubber. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | 6500 C3....You'll quickly get use to no thumb bar.
Edited by Pointerpride102 8/31/2009 7:39 PM
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Posts: 727
| I've heard good things about the revo. |
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Posts: 909
| I threw one of my clients record 60 a few times and it seemed like a real nice reel!
Brian |
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Posts: 388
| I like the records for standard tackle. The HC is a better choice if you are using 80# or heavier braided line as you don't have a ton to spare with a short mono backing and a full spool. The 7000 Big Game is good for the heavy stuff.
As stated above, the Abu's do require periodic TLC to keep them in good working order. |
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | You can't beat this deal on a saltwater C3. Stainless gears and almost half the price of new. I have one and like it.
http://www.ffo-tackle.com/detail.cfm?PassProdId=4051
The price on this 6600 EXT is unbeatable:
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Abu-Garcia-6600-EXT-Pro-Baitca...
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hey Todd,
how smooth is the reel when cranking? I've been looking at that reel for some time now, just not acted on it yet. With the lower gear ratio, how is it with double 10's?
Steve |
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Posts: 444
Location: Duluth, MN | Just say NO!!! There are plenty of threads of people unhappy they gave Abu "another chance" with the Toro.
The Record is a bass reel. It will burn up just like the other cheap Abu's.
Edited by Lundbob 8/31/2009 10:06 PM
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Posts: 2068
| Im NOT an ABU guy (hate 6500's and 7000's) ... but...Get a Revo Toro 60 ...best muskie reel being made currently. |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I'll agree with the Revo, been abusing mine since April and its holding up great, nearing 70 trips on it without a hitch. I'm also NOT an Abu fan but the Revo they got right. If you want a round reel get a Shimano or Diawa or another Okuma. |
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Posts: 897
| Revo the best muskie reel currently being made? Have you ever thrown a TE? The Revo is nice and I haven't had any problems with mine yet, but better than a TE? I use my stuff more than most and haven't had to do one thing to maintain my TE in a season and a half of big blades, big gliders, ripping jakes and other cranks and fighting big fish. They are expensive as hell, but well worth it to have a reel you can trust all the time.
Don't get a Record if you're planning on throwing big blades or jerk baits or gliders for any amount of time. Not made for that.
Edited by whynot 9/1/2009 8:10 AM
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Posts: 83
| The Revo Toro is very unique in that it holds similar line capacity to a 400 sized round reel (like the 400TE, 400B, or Abu 6500), but in the frame of a low profile baitcaster. IMO, that has got to be a key selling point that sets this reel apart form other reels in its price range. I don't understand why Shimano doesn't beef up their Curado with a 400 version that has greater spool capacity and a synchronized level wind - seems it would be an easy mod for them. It would be good to have a competing reel in the low profile, large capacity big fish reel catagory ... right now I think the only option is the Toro.
One other nice thing about the Toro is that it comes bundled with a power handle and double paddle handle at no extra charge. I really like that they do that - any other reel will chage you extra for a power handle ($50-60 for a Shimano). |
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Posts: 2068
| whynot - 9/1/2009 12:19 AM
"Revo the best muskie reel currently being made? Have you ever thrown a TE? The Revo is nice and I haven't had any problems with mine yet, but better than a TE? Get real. I use my stuff more than most and haven't had to do one thing to maintain my TE in a season and a half of big blades, big gliders, ripping jakes and other cranks and fighting big fish. They are expensive as hell, but well worth it to have a reel you can trust all the time."
Yep - I owed a TE- it broke.....didn't make a season. (granted that year was on the water 150+ days) ALL reels break eventually - The Revo is VERY comfortable for my hand. I have many hrs on my TORO since March. Lots of time throwing 10's and many fish in the net ... TE's are fine, but they are not bullet proof... if someone was handing out free reels (TE vs Toro) - I'll take the TORO....To each their own
Edited by IAJustin 9/1/2009 7:44 AM
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Location: Contrarian Island | I own one TE, it has been back to Shimano 3 times...count them, 1, 2, 3 in the last 2 summers...I also have 2 friends who have had them break as well...all reels break...
Reels are made to withstand what the "average" fishermen puts them through. I would be willing to bet the guys that don't break reels too often also only put at most 100 hours on one reel per season. Try putting 150, 200 or even 300+ hours on a reel and let us know how it holds up....TE's are a good reel but to say they dont' break? well I've got plenty of proof they do..me and many guys I know..
I've owned and do own quite a few different makes, models etc...guess what...they all break. actually I take that back..the one reel that has not broken yet with more than 300 hours on it is a Trinidad 16N
I like the Revo but the power handle makes no sense to me..it is the same width/distance from shaft to handle as the standard 2 paddled handle...how is that giving you more cranking power? a power handle should be farther out like on say a Shimano Trinidad handle put on a TE, or putting the Penn 975 out to the farthest setting..it's a nice handle, but to say it will give you any extra "power" is incorrect.
imo.
The Revo's are a first year model...there will be bugs they work out...but so far I have had good luck w/ the 2 I have...w/ limited use so far though too...but I do konw a well known guide on LOTW hasn't had the ones he has been using all season fail..that is a good recommendation right there alone
Edited by BNelson 9/1/2009 8:44 AM
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Posts: 897
| Fair enough, maybe I've just been lucky with mine. I still don't think anyone should be calling a first-year model of anything the "best musky reel made." |
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Posts: 1270
| Bnelson, IMHO the power handle is not about more cranking power due to longer length it's about more fingers on the paddle. Remember the line that the chain is only as strong as the weakest link? Think about the "chain" that turns a reel. Starting at your shoulder, then to your arm, and finally to your fingers. Obviously your fingers are the weakest link in this chain. With a normal sized paddle you get the tip of one finger and your tip of your thumb on the paddle, with a power handle you get more fingers and more of each finger on the paddle. I know it doesn't seem like much difference but I have found that over the course of the day it makes a huge difference.
As for reels breaking down they all break down, I don't care if you spend $50 or $500 there will be some that break on you. This is just the nature of the beast and how hard we use them. While I don't have statistics I would bet that the % of defectives are about the same for a TE as for a 6500C3 but what you have to remember is that for every TE sold there are 300 6500C3's sold so obviously you will here more about 6500C3's breaking down. Plus most people who spend the money on a TE realize that being it's a mechanical device that is put through great stress it will eventually break so they don't mention it when it happens and they have to send it in for repair. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I agree with that part Reelman, but imo a power handle has more more pure cranking power if it is farther out from the shaft...like the other power handles I mentioned...yes, they are easier to grip, that is one thing, but also the farther out you get the more cranking power you seem to have on the other reels I mentioned...put a power handle on a TE and it does crank in big baits with more ease than the regular double paddle handle and I'm positive it's not just from the handle being easier to grip, it is the handle being farther out from the shaft.... |
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Posts: 2068
| I do have 200+ hrs on my Toro and its as smooth as the day I bought it.....will it break? yep... will I buy another? yes...If all Toro's last this long they will be the only reels I own ( will keep one Saltist for burning 10's) |
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Location: Twin Cities | Longer handle = more leverage...pretty simple. |
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Posts: 1270
| Yes A longer handle will have more leverage but let's not forget that it will also most likely destroy the reel faster. You are getting more leverage to turn the handle but it is also exerting more preasure on the drive shaft and gears. If you kept the handle and all preasure in the perfect plane of the handle this would not be an issue but we all know that in real use we are putting all kinds of side and top preasure on the handle. |
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Posts: 582
| there are some options in your price range that may be better. Shimano Cardiff comes to mind, but if you can go $100 more, i would suggest the calcutta B or the SC AC300. Fantastic reels for under $230. At least then you get the option to throw the bigger stuff with less worry of burning it up. |
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Location: Oswego, IL | I think you are all getting off the topic here. He was looking for a round baitcaster reel. The toro isnt. I love the Toro myself, but to answer your question Jacob. If you are using big baits, and they keep getting bigger, I suggest NOT to buy a record period. If you want something to throw small mepps and small cranks (jakes) and small gliders, some suicks whatever then a record is ok. If you want to keep up with the market plan BIG, and read about what your buying also do some reseach other than gather 1000 personal opinions. Good luck! |
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Posts: 145
| Thanks muskiewhored, I am doing my reading as well thourghout the whole process I was mostly looking for a good smooth reel. I am not one to worship at the alter of pounders and DCG's not that there is anything wrong with that! I mainly run suicks, jakes, and the like and they have been doing me just fine! I did like the feel of the okuma but it does not seem to be! I have been using my SSC3 for several years now and have not had one single problem with it. I am looking to get back to that, I think some reels just fit the user better for thier style of fishing......... |
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Posts: 1270
| jah, Where are you located? I know that there was just a bunch of 6600SSC3's shipped to stores across WI and MN, not a lot of them but enough that if you call around you should be able to find some in stock yet. |
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Posts: 8834
| It kind of depends on how much you fish. I like the record. I've broken two of them, and the handle will bend if you look at it the wrong way, but I actually like the reel. It's smooth and comfortable, and effective for a wide variety of lures. I wouldn't use it for double 10's and pounders and the like, but for everything else its fine.
If you fish 10 days a year there are a ton of reels in the $120 range that will probably suit you just fine and give you many years of service. If you fish 50 days a year, there are fewer. If you fish 100 days a year or more, I think you just have to accept that reels are something that just plain need to be serviced, repaired, and/or replaced regularly.
The nice thing about Abu's is the parts that wear out are cheap and easy to replace for the most part, and they are easy to get.
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Posts: 10
Location: Menasha, Wi | Some people may have had some good luck with the Toro 60 but I certainly did not. After a conservative 10 hours of light duty work mainly pacemakers and DC-8s with the occasional DC-9 my Revo completely stopped woking. Complete failure. Call was placed to Abu and the response was not what I expected. "We have yet to have a complaint on the Revo Toro 60 so I'm sure what ever happened to it was caused by something you did." HELLO SHIMANO!!! Im swearing off Garcia for good. So if any of you hear a little "squeek squeek" from your revo return it. Started throwing my Cardiff glad I did got a 50 the next day. Some people may love them and thats great, just not for me. Im now going with Curados. |
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Posts: 311
Location: Ontario | bn nailed it...all reels break. So do all rods, all trailer lights, all trucks, all rainsuits etc etc etc. 100% satisfaction with 100% of a company's customers does not exist. Some guys will tell you Bulldawgs are the best. Other guys will tell you Bulldawgs suck. I say Lund, you say Crestliner. Just look at the Revo example from this thread so far...guys say they suck, other guys love 'em lol. There is no way to say one's better or worse..it all depends who you're asking from one minute to the next. I use all Garcia 7000's because they are a decent reel (I fish a lot and kill at least one reel per summer) and when one needs work, the Warranty Center is up the hiway 25 mins from me. I can get it fixed in-house and usually while I sit reading an 80's vintage fishing magazine. On any mid to large purchase item, one of my first questions is 'how can I get this thing fixed, and where?' A $300 Shimano will blow up. So will a $175 Garcia. For me personally, shipping out a dead reel and waiting for it to arrive at the shop, get fixed, then shipped back to me is just nuts. I say buy a reel that you can get repaired fast and correctly with a minimum of downtime/shipping/messing around. That alone has a very real value attached to it, in my opinion. Garcia reels are easy to get parts for and their guts are pretty basic. Most of the time I show up at the Warranty Center, the guys have the part in stock and they fix it while I wait. Blow up a reel Saturday, take it in Monday, have it back in action Monday night.
Edited by JBush 9/1/2009 7:45 PM
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | I have broken every reel I have musky fished with. I have gone through 7 in one day in below freezing temps. If you are hard on your reels, they will break. I have 9 being repaired right now and 3 more that need to be. I don't think Igo a weekend without one breaking. I have even stripped the handle nut off some abu's twice! |
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Thoughts on what abu